Flathead Lake State Park, southwest of Glacier National Park and at the base of two mountain ranges, is composed of six different sections that sit on the Flathead Lake waterfront. Five of them offer camping facilities with picnic tables. It’s a magical place to come on vacation.

The sections of the park include the Big Arm Bay Unit, Wild Horse Island Unit, West Shore Unit, Wayfarers Unit, Yellow Bay Unit and the Finley Point unit.

Location/Directions

Flathead Lake and the sections of Flathead Lake State Park on the lake’s waterfront are located between Kalispell and Polson on Highway 93 (along the western shore) and Highway 35 (along the eastern edge).

You can contact the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for more information at 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901 or call them at 406-837-4196. Their website is http://fwp.mt.gov/.

Seasons

The park operates from May 1st to September 30th.

Activities

Numerous activities attract visitors from all over at Flathead Lake State Park.

Boating and CanoeingYou can launch from the dock at the Big Arm Unit and speed away around Black Point, with views of the Mission Mountains. Boating is also great at the West Shore Unit, where the rocky outcrops rise from the lake. Find a boat ramp at the Wayfarers Unit, and enjoy the wildflowers blooming on the shore.

Fishing Some of the best fishing spots are Woods Bay, Mackinaw Alley and on Wild Horse Island. Go for hooking some rainbow, whitefish, lake trout and cutthroat.

SwimmingFlathead Lake State Park has a number of beaches where you can swim and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the lake. Try the Big Arm Unit, West Shore Unit and Wayfarers Unit for some of the best beaches.

CampingFive of Flathead Lake State Park’s sections have camping facilities. The surrounding ponderosa pine and juniper makes it shady and pleasant. Camping at Big Arm is a favorite since it is a great jumping-off point to get to Wild Horse Island.

Wildlife Viewing Probably the best place to view wildlife is on Wild Horse Island. Spot bighorn sheep, eagles, ospreys and more. But the most exciting adventure is seeing the four wild horses that call this island home. They wander the island, grazing on larkspur, yarrow and owl clover.

Additional Info

You aren’t that far from civilization when at Flathead Lake. For some relaxation after a hard day of outdoor activities, you can visit the town of Bigfork where you can enjoy some Summer Playhouse theatre or browse the gift shops.